“We are in a historic moment of heightened racism, of myths designed to further fracture a young nation still on the path of healing and dealing with the inhumane ravages of enslavement. Myths presented as truths frame a narrative of increased racism, exclusion, poverty, incarceration, and displacement” said by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Project Coordinator.

With roots in the United States and throughout Africa and the Caribbean—including Guyana, Jamaica, Nevis, Panama, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, and Sierra Leone—the photographers draw from an African Diasporic worldview steeped in their personal experiences as well as larger geographical political histories. Collectively, their images offer a poignant and provocative portrait of the ways the mythology of race and the pursuit of justice continue to permeate the global African experience.

Race, Myth, Art, and Justice celebrates a community of voices who illuminate how art continues to serve as a powerful tool for justice. As part of CCCADI’s commitment to public engagement and collaboration, the curators invited thirteen dynamic scholars, activists, artists, and writers to reflect on the exhibition’s works. Through their thoughtful framing, we witness how the images transcend limiting labels of “political,” “radical,” or “protest” art. These photographs are not merely gestures or symbolic meditations on race and justice. Instead, they reflect exclusion, erasure, and invisibility as the lived realities we wrestle and resist every day.

Founded in 1976 by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) is a vibrant home for global Afro-descendent cultural programming. A multi-disciplinary center based in East Harlem, New York City, CCCADI integrates art, education, activism and conscious cultural tourism to foster social transformation. The Center documents and present the creative genius of African Diaspora cultures; prepare the next generation of cultural leaders; and unite Diaspora communities. CCCADI carries out its mission through public art exhibitions, performances, educational programs, workshops, conferences and international exchanges, and reaches more than 20,000 people annually throughout New York City, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe.

Major support for the exhibition has been provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and The Ford Foundation, with additional support from the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

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CCCADI is most grateful for support from:

Foundations: American Express Foundation, Andrew Mellon Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Carlos & Suzy Pagan Foundation, Ford Foundation, The Hearst Foundations, Hispanic Federation; New York Women's Foundation, New York Community Trust, Pinkerton Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, Tides Foundation, Time Warner Foundation; Corporations: Bronx Lebanon Hospital; Con Edison, United Health Care; Public: New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC & Co., Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, New York State Senator Kevin Parker, New York Council Member Bill Perkins, New York State Assembly Member Carmen Arroyo, New York State Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez, New York City Council Member Diana Ayala, New York City Council Member Laurie Cumbo; Community Organizations: Casabe House, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Harlem Community Development Corporation and other generous individual donors.